Commercial Electrical, Low-Voltage & Fire Alarm | Downtown Cedar Rapids, IA
Project Facts
- Location: Downtown Cedar Rapids, IA
- Size: ~11,950 sf interior, ~7,900 sf exterior
- Timeline: November 2022 – December 2023
- Nelson’s Role: Electrical engineer and contractor
- General Contractor: Build to Suit
- Services: Design-build electrical, electrical engineering, electrical construction, low-voltage systems, fire alarm
Overview
When developer Build to Suit invited a short list of contractors to propose on Big Grove’s new Cedar Rapids brewery and taproom, Nelson Electric was selected after a competitive proposal and interview. Nelson handled the project end to end: design, engineering, construction, low-voltage, and fire alarm, all under one roof.
Scope of Work
Nelson provided complete electrical design and engineering for the new construction, then built it: power distribution, lighting, low-voltage systems, and fire alarm for the 11,946 sqf interior and 7,929 sf exterior brewery and taproom. Bringing design, engineering, and field installation together on one team kept coordination tight and decisions fast throughout the build.
The Challenge
Big Grove’s interior centered on an open vault ceiling, but the owner wanted the electrical concealed. There was also a sizable central bar that needed significant concealed power and lighting.
Nelson’s Solution
Nelson preplanned every rough-in and marked it in the field with a Trimble Total Station, confirming each run would fit cleanly beneath the wood paneling before anything went in. At the central bar, power and lighting were routed through the bar’s structure and underfloor runs to keep the space clean and uncluttered. A Lutron Vive system handled lighting controls throughout, along with control of the gas fireplaces, giving Big Grove flexible, simple control over the taproom’s atmosphere.
The Result
The completed project gave Big Grove a new open-fermentation brewery and taproom in the heart of the city, expanding its production capacity and opening a vibrant new space to serve the growing Cedar Rapids market.
